Centrifugal amalgamator



5 Sheets- Sheet 1.

- Patented Jan. 17, 1893.

N. MN w@ Y E- (No Model.)

O. VB. PBCK. GENTRIPUGAL AMALGAMATOR.

(No Mode.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 2. i

o. B. lPBGK. GENTRIPUGAL AMALGAMATOR.

No. 490,041, Patented Jan. 17, 1893.

(No Model.) 5 sheetssheet 3. 0. B. PEGK.

GBNTRIPUGAL'AMALGAMATOR.

Patented Jan. 17, 1893.

5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(Mmm Y 0. B. PBGK.

GENTRIPUGAL AMALGAMATQR.

Patented Jan. 17, 1893.

hwg

@h-Pff (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 5'. O. B. PEK. GBNTRIFUGAL AMALGAMATOR. N0. 490.041.

l wz--. A .l .wm I.

am n Patented Jan. 17, 1893.

l l d l 1 mw. .mw w ....w.. ,N

UNiTnD STATES PATENT @Trina ORRIN B. BECK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO MELINDA BECK, OF SAME PLACE.

CENTRIFUGAL ANIALGANIATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 490,041, dated January 17, 1893.

Application filed September 26, 1292. Serial No. 446,912. (llo model.

To @ZZ whom t may concern: I

Be it known that I, ORRIN B. PECK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago,

Illinois, have invented certain neT and useful Improvements in Centrifugal Amalgamators, of Which the following is a specification.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of my improved amalgamator; Fig. 2 a vertical longitudinal section taken on line 2 of Fig. 3; Fig. 3 an enlarged plan sectional View of one half of the machine, taken on line 3 of Fig. 2; Figui an enlarged plan sectional view of the other half of the machine, taken on line tof Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view similar to that shown in Fig. 2, and showing a modified form of construction; Figs. G and 7 are enlarged cross sectional views taken on lines 6 and 7 respectively of Fig. 5; Fig. S an enlarged sectional view of the construction between the feed pipe and the rotating rleector shaft, and Figs. i), l0 and ll, are vertical longitudinal sectional views of the machine showing further modifications.

In making my improved centrifugal amalgamator, I make a bed, A, provided With brackets, A', adapted to receive and support the bearings in which the operative parts of the apparatus are arranged. I make a revoluble amalgamating vessel, B, adapted to be rotated through means of a belt operating on a pulley, B', or in any other convenient way. The amalgamating vessel is arranged in bearings, o, supported by the brackets, A', to permit it to be rotated at the desired rate of speed. At one end of the revoluble amalgamating vessel is preferably arranged a nonrevoluble receiving vessel or chamber C, into which the material to be treated is first introduced, and from which it passes to the revoluble vessel, as shown in Figs. l, 2 and 4. the vessels B and C are arranged end to end, and rings or packing, c, shown in Figs. 2 and 4, let into annulargroovesin the ends. These rings fit with sutticient looseness in the grooves of one of the ends to permit the revoluble vessel to freely revolve, notwithstanding their presence. Their object, as will of course be understood, is to prevent leakage. A deflector, D, is arranged longitudinally in the revoluble amalgamating vessel, to force or deflect the material being treated into closer contact with the amalgamating surface. This detlector may also be made to perform the office ofa stirrer ordistributer, as will be more particularly hereinafter explained. The deilector is preferably provided at its ends with trunnions or deflector shafts, d, Which are suitably journaled in bearings d. to permit it to be rotated Within the amall gam ating vessel.

In order to impart the desired rotation to it, the dellector shaft may be provided at one end with a. pulley D', through which it may be rotated by means of abelt, or in any other convenient Way. Between the amalgamatin g vessel B and the detlector D, there is a lon gitudinal annular channel, passage or space, through which the material, while under treatment, may pass to effect the separation of the valuable from the Worthless particles. I do not mean, however, to .confine myself to a channel or passage formed bythe arrangement of two revolving vessels or cylinders, one Within the other. The channel or passage through which the material is passed is intended to be in juxtaposition to the amalgamating surface, and it may be made or formed in any desiredway. Nor do I consider it material Whether the channel or passage be annular, ordivided up into a number of separate channels or passages. As to the means used for forming the channel or passage, therefore, as much latitude of construction may be employed as desired. I provide the amalgamating vessel, or the channels therein, with shallow chambers or depressions, b', adapted during its operation to receive and contain the desired quantitv of mercury necessary to effect the amalgamation of the particles which it is desired to secure. These shallow chambers may be made in different Ways, several of which I have shown in the drawings, but I prefer io make them of such shape or in such manner as that they will hold or retain the mercury the more securely the greater the amount of centrifugal force developed. In Fig.2 I have shown them as annular, While in Fig. 6 I have shown them formed by arranging a number TOO of longitudinal ribs or partitions on the interior surface of the amalgamating vessel. The material to be treated, preferably diluted with water, may be introduced into the nonrevoluble receiving chamber through a pipe E, as shown in Figs. l and 2, whence it passesv into the channel or passage of the amalgamating vessel. It is there subjected to centrifugal action and directed or guided by the deflector into close proximity to the amalgamating surface, as it proceeds through the channel or channels toward the point of discharge.

a force pump or other convenient means of so introducing it. The precious metals that are in condition to be precipitated Aor amal-V gamated in the mercury are caught therein;

and retained, while the more worthless particles and water pass into the end of the'rev-Iv oluble amalgamating vessel, where they are dischargedinto a curbing, E', to be carried oft through a pipe E2, to the desired place of deposit. metals has been secured by the amalgamating material, the furtherintroduction of material to be treated may be suspended, and

the rotation of the revoluble amalgamating vessel stopped, when the amalgamating material and the precious metals caught up by it may be allowed to flow out through holes, h2, which may be closed by caps during the operation of the amalgamator.

I have shown in Fig. 2 a number of longitudinal flanges or wings, d2, adapted to oper-l ate upon the material immediately after it passes from the non-revoluble receiving vessel into the revoluble amalgamating vessel.: These wings or flanges serve to stir the mate; rial so as to bring it the more quickly into condition to be operated upon.

non revoluble receiving vessel, and have made the end of the deliector shaft hollow and rotatably connected bya packing boX,d3, with the feed pipe or conduit E,in away that the material to be treated may be introduced into the hollow portion of the deflector shaft` and through the amalgamating channel or channels under pressure. I have provided lthe hollow shaft with perforatious, d4,within the end ofthe hollow amalgamating vessel, s0 thatthe material is discharged intosuch vessel and subjugated to treatment, as in the casesl above cited. In the modified construction shown in Fig. 5 .I have not only provided the defiector with longitudinal wings or liange's, but I have also provided the amalgamatiug vessel B with longitudinal wings oriiangcs b2,

dividing the shallow depressions or chambers for the recept-ion and retention of the amal- The material to be treated may, ifY preferred, be introduced under pressure fromy After a sufficient amount of preciousv gamatin g material into longitudinal compartments.

In Fig. 9 I have shown still another modified form of construction. In 'this case the material to be treated is introduced into the hollow of the deflector, substantially in the same manner as in Fig. 5, and need not, therefore, be represented or described in detail. After the material has entered theinterior of the hollow deiiector, it is forced forward by a screw or obliquely arranged revolving blades, F, mounted on a shaft adapted to be rotated by a pulley F', through means of a belt or in other convenient ways, and as it reaches the other end of the deflector it passes out through ports or passages, as shown by the arrows, into the amalgamating channel or passage between the detlector and the revoluble amalgamating vessel. As it passes along this passage or channel, a portion of the precious metals is caught up and retained by the amalgamating material, and the water and more worthless portions of 'the material being treated pass into the enlargement or chamber G, provided with discharge orifices, g, through which the waste and a portion of the water pass, to be carried off by the pipe E2. A portion of the water, however, again enters the hollow of the deiiector, through holes g', as represented by the arrows, to be again forced forward and' circulated around through the amalgamating channelsor passages.

In Fig. lO I have shown another modified form of construction. In this case the material introduced through the pipe E passes into the amalgamating channels or passages, and along through them, between the revoluble amalgam ating vessel and the external surface of the deiiector, to the chamber or enlargement G, and out through the ports g, to be carried'off through the pipe E2, as in the other cases, but without having a portion of the water forced back through the deflector, to again pass or circulate through the amalgamating channels.

In Fig. ll I have shown the material entering through the pipe E into the chamber or receptacle, where it is immediately operated upon by the screws or blades F, and forced through the amalgamating passages or channels without passing through the interior of the deliector, whence it escapes to the orifices and is carried off by the pipe E2 as in the other cases. In those cases where the deector is rotated, I prefer that the outer vessel should be rotated at a somewhat different speed, and that the speed of rotation of the outer Vessel should be sufficient to develop a centrifugal force greater 'than the force of gravitation, although, of course it may be rotated at as much higher speedv as may be founddesirable or advantageous in operation, to best suit the varying conditions found in the'material to be treated.

While I have illustrated and described the construction, arrangement and operation of my improvements with considerable detail, I

ZOO

IIC

Wish it to be understood, however, that I do not intend to limit myself to details of construction further than as I may mention such details in my claims.

In the claims I will use the term vessel to designate the rotatable part or portion of the machine that may be used to contain the channels or passages with the chambers or depressions in them, and mean to include such part under such term Whether made technically in the form of a vessel or not. I may also say that when I use the term materia in the claims, I intend it in a broad signification, to include any Water or other liquid which may be mixed with the material, and it is apparent that the means for forcing the material through the channels or passages largely employ the Water or other liquid as the agent through which such force is exerted on the material.

yV hat I regard as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a centrifugal amalgamator, a rotatable vessel provided with achannelorchannels containing chambers or depressions adapted to receive and retain mercury the more securely the greater the amount of centrifugal force developed, means for forcing material through the channel or channels, and means for stirring and distributing the material under treatment, substantially as described.

2. In a centrifugal amalgamator, a rotatablevesselprovidedWithachannelorchannels containing chambers or depressions adapted to receive and retain mercury the more securely the greater the amount of centrifugal force developed, means for forcing material through the channel or channels and means for stirring and distributing the material under treatment rotatable independently of the rotatable vessel, substantially as described.

3. In a centrifugal amalgamator, a rotatable vessel provided with achannelorchannels containing chambers or depressions adapted to receive and retain mercury the more securely the greater the amount of centrifugal force developed, means for stirring and distributing the material under treatment, and means for dciiecting or guiding the material into proximity to the mercury, substantially as described.

4t. In a centrifugal amalgamator, a rotatable vessel provided with achannelor channels containing chambers or depressions adapted to receive and retain mercury the more securely the greater the amount of centrifugal force developed, means for stirring and distributing the material under treatment rotatable independently of the rotatable vessel, and means for detlecting or guiding the material into proximity to the mercury, substantially as described.

5. In a centrifugal amalgamator, a rotatable vessel provided with a channel or channels containing chambers or depressions adapted to receive and retain mercury the more se= curely the greater the amount of centrifugal force developed, and means for mechanically forcing material through the channel or channels, substantially as described.

6. In a centrifugal'amalgamator, a rotatable vessel provided with achannelor channels containing chambers or depressions adapted to receive and retain mercury the more securely the greater the amount ofcentrifugal force developed, and means for mechanically forcing material through the channel or channels rotatable independently of the rotatable vessel, substantially as described.

7. In a centrifugal amalgamator, a rotatable vessel provided Witha channelor channels containing chambers or depressions adapted to receive and retain mercury the more securely the greater the amount of centrifugal force developed, means for mechanically forcing material through the channel or channels, and means for deilecting or guiding the material through the channel or channels, substantially as described.

8. In a centrifugal amalgamator, a rotatable vessel provided with a channelor channels containing chambers or depressions adapted to receive and retain mercury the more securely the greater the amount of centrifugal force developed, means for mechanically forcing material through the channel or channels rotatable independently of the rotatable vessel, means for deliecting or guiding the material into proximity to the mercury, and means for stirring and distributing the material under treatment rotatable independently of the rotatable vessel, substantially as described.

9. In a centrifugal amalgamator, a rotatable vessel provided with a channel or channels containing chambers or depressions adapted to receive and contain mercury during the rotation of the vessel, and rotatable obliquely arranged screws or blades for mechanically forcing material through the channel or channels, substantially as described.

IO. In a centrifugal amalgamator, a rotatable vessel provided with a channel or chan nels containing chambers or depressions adapted to receive and contain mercury during the rotation of the vessel, means for mechanically forcing material through the channel or channels, and means for stirring and distributing the material under treatment, substantially as described.

ll. In a centrifugal amalgamator, a rotatable vessel provided with a channelor channels IOO IIO

containing chambers or depressions adapted to receive and contain mercury during the rotation of the vessel, means for mechanically forcing material through the channel or channels, means for deiiecting or guiding the material into proximity to the mercury, and means for stirring and distributing the material under treatment, substantially as described.

12. In a centrifugal amalgamator, a rotatable vessel pro vided with a channel or channels containing chambers or depressions adapted to receive and contain mercury during the rotation of the vessel, means for mechanically forcing material through the channel or chan` nels, means for deiiectin g or guiding the material into proximity to the mercury, and means for stirring and distributing the material under treatment rotatable independently ofthe rotatable vessel, substantially as described.

13. In a centrifugal amalgamator, the combination of rotatable cylinders, one within the other, provided With a channel or channels containing chambers or depressions adapted to receive and contain mercury during the rotation of the vessel, means for conveying material through the channel or channels, and means for stirring and distributing the material under treatment, substantially as described.

14. In a centrifugal amalgamator, the combination'of rotatable cylinders, one Within the other, provided with a channel or channels containing chambers or depressions adapted to receive and contain mercury during the rotation of the vessel, means for conveying ymaterial through the channel or channels,

means for stirring and distributing the ma-y terial under treatment, and means for mef chanically forcing the material through the channel or channels, substantially 'as described.

15. In a centrifugal,amalgamaton the com bination of rotatable cylinders, one Within the other, provided with a channel or channels containing chambers or depressions adapted to receive and contain mercury during the rotation of the vessel, each of said cylinders being rotatable independently of the other, substantially as described.

16. In a centrifugal amalgamator, the combination of rotatable cylinders, one Within the other, provided with a channel or channels containing chambers or depressions adapted to receive and contain mercury during the rotation of the vessel, and rotatable obliquely arranged screws or blades for mechanically forcing material through the channel or channels, substantially as described.

17. In a centrifugal amalgamator, the combination of rotatable cylinders, one Within the other, provided with a channel or channels containing chambers or depressions adapted to receive and contain mercury during the rotation of thevessel, at least one of the cylinders being provided with ribs, corrugations or projections on its surface for stirring and distributing the material under treatment. substantially as described.

1S. In a centrifugal amalgamator, the combination of rotatable cylinders, one Wi thin the other, provided with a channel or channels containing chambers or depressions adapted to receive and contain mercury duringthe rotationV of thevcssel, and means for causing Water to circulate repeatedly through the channels or passages, substantially as described.

19. In a centrifugal amalgamator, a rotatable vessel provided with a channel or channels containing chambers or depressions adaptedy to receive and retain mercury the more securely the greater the amount of centrifugalforce developed, and a non-rotatable pipe or conduit communicating with the vessel Afor supplying Water and material under pressure thereto, substantially as described.

20. In a centrifugalr amalgamator, a rotatable vessel provided With a channel or channels containing chambers or depressions adapted to receive and retain mercury the more securely the greater the amount of centrifugal force developed,means fordeiiecting and guiding the material along the surface of the mercury in the vessel, and a non-rotatable pipe or conduit communicating With the vessel in a substantially water-tight manner. for supplying Water and material under pressure thereto, substantially as described.

21; In a centrifugal amalgamator, the combination of two rotatable cylinders, one with` in the other, with a channel or passage between them adapted to receive and contain mercury during the rotation of the outer' cylinder, and a supply pipe o r conduit non-rotatably connected With one of the cylinders in a substantially Water-tight manner, for supplying Water and material under pressure to the channel or passage, substantially as described.

ORRIN B. PECK.

Vitnesses:

SAMUEL E. HIBBEN, ANNIE C. COURTENAY.

rSe 

